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As the son of a marilith[9] and a human father, Vhok appeared mostly humanoid, but with light olive-colored skin and silver hair. Most believed him to be an aging half-elf due to his pointed ears. Beneath his rich clothes, Vhok's chest, arms, and legs were covered with deep green scales that showed his tanar'ri heritage.[10]

His skin was finely scaled and he had strong features.[11] He had pointed teeth.[12] He was tall and had the strength of a stone giant. He had red skin that was hot and hard enough to turn a blade. He was also handsome, despite his black teeth. He could fly at will and was resistant to fire.[13]

Vhok was very charismatic.[11] He had a regal bearing and carried himself with elegance and dignity despite his demonic heritage. When dealing with others Vhok was cultured and polite, but this charm was all for show. He could be very ruthless when taking actions to increase his power. Vhok viewed everyone around him as an enemy. His allies were merely adversaries with whom he shared a common goal, and who were to be betrayed when they became liabilities or were no longer needed.[15]

Kaanyr's plots and maneuverings, as well as his luck, led to his survival in the political infighting of Hellgate Keep's tanar'ri and his eventual rise to the command of the surviving forces of Hellgate Keep. He and his consort, Aliisza, were trapped under Hellgate Keep for decades.[5] He had three mariliths under him (which known as the "Triumvirate"), including his mother, Mulvassyss. He used the mariliths against each other and then slew his own mother to take command of the demons trapped under Hellgate Keep. He subsequently used them to form the main forces of the Scoured Legion when he occupied Ammarindar.[16][17]

He would much rather have quietly operated in secret for years. However, due to a combination of fate and his own desire for secret plots, Vhok, and much of his army, were deep beneath the Keep when, in 1369 DR, the Gatekeeper's Crystal brought much of it crashing down and thus thrusting him to a position that required quick action.[citation needed]

However, Zasian — in fact a priest of Cyric — had been using Vhok for his own purposes to enter the celestial plane. The astral devaTauran proposed an agreement with Vhok: if Vhok would help him track down Zasian, Vhok would be allowed to bathe in the Lifespring. Vhok agreed, but felt betrayed when Tauran placed a geas on him and he was forced to accompany Tauran, Aliisza, and Aliisza's son Kael across the planes. They failed to stop Zasian, and thus Cyric was able to steal Azuth's staff and kill Mystra.[22]

When at last Vhok was released from the geas, he left his companions behind, feeling betrayed that Aliisza had chosen her son and an angel over himself. He joined up with the balor lord Axithar and the marilith Vhissilka, providing them information that allowed them to invade the House of the Triad. During the invasion, which was turned away, Vhok attempted to reach the Lifespring but was killed by Aliisza before he could do so.[23]

Vhok's weapons and magical items were confiscated by the Court of Tyr. Soon after, in Dweomerheart, he procured a wand of lightning (activated by the word "Galvanos"[24]), a cape of flying, and new sword that had dark energy runing through it.[25][26] He began calling the sword Spitefang.[27]

Vhok's on-off consort and chief lieutenant was the alu-fiendAliisza, to whom he often entrusted his most important missions of espionage.[28] He was quite close to her, but that didn't stop him from using her for his own ends. He had a soft spot for her and originally wanted to make amends for his betrayal, but when she appeared to choose her son and Tauran over staying with him, he left bitterly and didn't hesitate to betray her and her companions to a demon horde.[23]